Glendale is a city that's part of the greater Phoenix, Arizona metro area. The city and stadium are to the west of Phoenix proper. For those from out of town planning to attend, there isn't much touristy around the stadium. There is a complex of factory outlet shops, a commercial restaurant/bar area called Westgate, a Cabela's outdoors store, a fairly new casino run by one of the local Native American tribes, a few chain hotels.

Many people who come to major events in "The Valley", as Phoenix metro is called locally, stay and play on the east side of The Valley in Scottsdale. Scottsdale is a major hub of hotels, restaurants, bars, art galleries, some museums, pricey shops and so forth. I should know. I live in Scottsdale on the poor side of town (yes, there is such a thing in Scottsdale). Downtown Phoenix is also an area that's up and coming regarding entertainment, dining, etc.

Bordering Scottsdale on the east is an Indian reservation with a number of tourist attractions: an aquarium, a butterfly wonderland, golf resort and what is considered the best hotel/casino in the Phoenix area, Talking Stick Resort.

If you plan to attend the Stones show and being in Phoenix for a few days, plan on renting a car. Public transportation is available in the Phoenix area, but I don't think its something you should depend on to easily get around. A car will allow you to explore the Phoenix area. There are mountain ranges around the area, along with the Sonoran desert, for places to explore beyond the city lights. If you're into art, the Phoenix Art Museum is excellent. A must see, if you have or make the time, is the Heard Museum in central Phoenix, which is a museum dedicated/devoted to the art of Native America and Native Americans.

I could go on, but y'all can search online for further info regarding visiting here. FYI, May in Phoenix is usually warm to us, but hot to others - the temps are generally in the 80s, occasionally low 90s during the day. We don't really consider the 90s to be too hot. When the temps hit triple digits is when we start to notice and complain. Also keep in mind it's very dry here so drinking water throughout the day is a practice you'll want to cultivate.

I lived in Arizona for a year back in the mid '70s up near Sedona, and had some friends who lived in Phoenix who I'd visit occasionally on weekends.But that was many moons ago, and while I've been back several times since then (including Stones shows in Phoenix at the arena), it's good to get some local info.

Looking forward to seeing the blimp/ufo looking stadium in person - especially the inside with the Stones performing!

The University of Phoenix name on the stadium is no more. The U of Phoenix is not what it used to be. It may still be in existence, but nothing like it was. The stadium is now called State Farm Stadium as State Farm Insurance bought the naming rights. Here's a link to the stadium.

QuoteChris FountainRemember when we use to laugh our ass off at the U of Phoenix? No longer. Or this may be the greatest education con ever? Seems like they won and prospered. Maybe it's a good school after all.

In any event it is a Kickass stadium!!!!!! That will be a great concert!

Not so fast - the U of Phoenix is still the butt of jokes with lots of controversy surrounding it (campus closings, criticism, etc. ), but who gives a crap when they're hosting the Rolling Stones!

EDIT: I see dmays post above regarding name change - is the stadium still affiliated with the University?

We were in Glendale last month for my son's vet school lab coat day - All vet students get their official lab coat before they start vet school. Anyway you need a car to get around - We stayed right near the football stadium which has an outdoor mall and shops. Very dry and hot.

Looking forward to the show - I don't have a ticket but by golly I eventually will!I do have a decent hotel w/full kitchen within walking distance (though I will have a car)- Residence Inn by Marriott,and I see the rates have jumped up quite a bit since I reserved pre-tour announcement using AAA rate - and refundable just in case.

Got an email from Ticketmaster inviting me to the special pre-sale. Why I got it I don't know. Anyway, checked out tickets for this venue. Cute, the way the seating areas are labeled by song names. Even cuter, the variations in seat prices row by row in some areas - sit in row x and pay this amount; sit in row w, same section, and pay this little higher amount. Just curious: Is this how shows are priced these days?

QuoteJeter1984You'll be able to get Pit tickets to this show for $600, maybe even less, on StubHub.

Yes, probably much less.They've already showing some non VIP Platinum Pit at $884+ on Ticketmaster, and depending how you look at it, that's either dropping from $1500 VIP prices or being raised from $500 regular face value.Eventually there will be plenty of price drops in all categories - or "flex" pricing as it's called these days.

If you are near Scottsdale & have some time, check out The Musical Instrument Museum. They have a very interesting exhibit on the origins of the eclectic guitar, with a lot of early electric guitars. Is very informative.

QuoteHairballLooking forward to the show - I don't have a ticket but by golly I eventually will!I do have a decent hotel w/full kitchen within walking distance (though I will have a car)- Residence Inn by Marriott,and I see the rates have jumped up quite a bit since I reserved pre-tour announcement using AAA rate - and refundable just in case.

That's a nice hotel.....about a 1/2 mile away...slightly more or less..

The Musical Instrument Museum is in north Phoenix on Tatum Boulevard. It is south of the 101, the main beltway around the Phoenix metro area. It's an excellent museum and spoiled me for going to concerts. It's concert hall only seats about 300 or so people and is acoustically perfect. It's like you're in a one-on-one performance with the artist. If you plan to spend some time in the valley while attending the Stones show check the MIM out and maybe a show there. Their website is www.mim.org

If you have time, there are a few things worth driving to if you want a different look at AZ. If you go north on I17, you will be able to tour wine country, a series of vineyards with tasting rooms, etc. These are in the area of Cottonwood, Clarkdale, Camp Verde. There are some very good restaurants in Cottonwood.

Near wine country is Jerome, an experience in itself. It's an old former mining town perched on the top side of a mountain. It was a hippie refuge some years ago, now an arts colony with off beat stores, restaurants, old hippies, etc., and a ukulele band in one of the saloons, I forget which, comprised of town residents and visitors sitting in. The town is on an angle, sort of like streets in San Francisco. The view from the town across the Verde Valley is great. The curving road up the mountain is a ride.

Further north is red rock country and Sedona. Sedona is beautiful, pricey and packed with visitors on weekends. Riding through the area you will see some beautiful landscapes. It's worth it if your chance of visiting the American southwest is only your visit to see the Stones.

Far to the east of Phoenix, out Route 60, is the Apache Trail. It was a trail through the mountains used by the Apaches during their time. It was made into a two lane road for the construction of Roosevelt Dam. It is north of Apache Junction, a development in the far east metro area. The trail starts, on its south side, in Tortilla Flat, a tourist trap if there ever was one, but a rather okay tourist trap. From Tortilla Flat, you drive north up AZ 88. You can use a sedan to do this ride, but a high rise vehicle is better. The trail rises higher as you go north and twists and turns through and around the mountains. You will see canyons unfolding before you, rivers, lakes, views that will take your breath away. A beautiful ride with some of the most scenic parts of AZ. But, there are things to keep in mind. As noted, it's a two lane road unpaved for a good part of its length. It has hairpin turns that will leave you hoping another car isn't about to make the same turn from the other direction. It has rock overhangs that will make you wonder about whether they fall. It has shear rock/mountain dropoffs that plunge a few hundred feet to the river below. It has the ability to make you realize you do have a thing about heights. It will make your passengers scream at you "Keep your eyes on the damn road, would you" when you comment on how beautiful the views are and they're having panic attacks because they never realized how much they feared heights (I've discovered a bottle of Cuervo and some Xanax for the passengers helps keep them under control). But, its well worth the ride and when the trail winds down from the mountain on the north end, you're at Roosevelt Dam and lake. A turn left where 88 meets 188 just past the dam will take you out to the Beeline Highway (Route 87). A left turn onto 87 and you can take it back into the greater Phoenix area. All in all, a nice way to spend a day.

So, when y'all get here, getcha motor runnin', head out on the highway, lookin' for adventure, whatever comes your way.

Thanks dmay - bringing back memories....Cottonwood, Verde Valley, Jerome...I also recall a very small town called Cornville!Just looked it up on wiki, and read John McCain had a vacation home there in his later years and is where he passed away.

QuoteHairballI'm in with Lucky Dips, and an hour after the sale started, Lucky Dips still available!

I also got Lucky Dip tickets. Wasn't planning on this show but have a friend out there so I checked it out. Hope to see you in the pit Hairball.

Yes Mighty Stork - if there's a will, there's a way!

Of the three shows I've been watching on Ticketmaster and will be attending (Glendale, Pasadena, and Santa Clara), this one is by far the slowest selling so chances of getting truly "lucky" are very good I think. Santa Clara is selling so-so, with only Pasadena being a "tough" ticket to get right now unless you opt for platinum or resale. While I also have Lucky Dips for Santa Clara, for Pasadena I have some decent seats for my wife and I bought presale at $147/each which are now surrounded by $500+ platinum and resale tix, so I'm feeling "lucky" to get what I did. Looking forward to going back to Arizona - it's nice place to visit (especially with a Stones show!) but wouldn't want to live there again.